Chapter 8

"The first time you fall in love, it changes you forever and no matter how hard you try, that feeling just never goes away."

-Nicholas Sparks-

***

The black car arrived in front of Bellavance's residence. The driver exited the car and opened up the backseat door, to reveal the now twenty-six years old heir of Desroches family. He walked out with confidence and charisma, mixed with excitement, hope and nervousness at the same time.

It was none other than Raphael Desroches. The man had grown a lot since the last time he visited the place. He was taller and his shoulder was broader, he had changed his hairstyle and personal style, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, he took off his round edged square sunglasses and turned his attention to the house.

A small smile escaped his lips. Words could not describe the feelings he had. He was beyond excited. A stream of memories rushed back into his head. The childhood memory he had spent in that place and most importantly, the woman that became his reason to return.

Clara, I'm back.

Although, he looked a lot more sophisticated and gentlemanly, he was the most proud of his change of character. He managed to improve his communication skill, by going to a lot of conferences and meetings alongside his father, doing public speaking and presentation.

He was no longer the silent and unbothered eighteen years old Raphael, then he could properly hold a conversation and socialize like a proper adult. With his newfound skills, he was sure he could easily catch her heart and her attention. This time, without hiding anything.

He had blossomed into a fine young man.

Eight years had passed since the last time he saw her. Not a single day had passed where he had forgotten about her. The key chain she gave him was safely kept beside his bed and he always stared at it every night before he went to bed as a reminder that he must meet her again. All of those waiting had come to an end.

Not much had changed about the place as far as he remembered, only the season which he decided to come was different, it was spring in France. There were more variety of flowers blooming in the yard, it was a lot more colorful and a lot more alive.

Dennis greeted him at the front door. The man had not changed much except he seemed to lose quite a bit of weight, he was physically better but at the same time he looked tired, as if he had not gotten enough sleep lately.

The two shook hands and walked inside the house and each took their seat on the couch in the living room. Dennis asked Raphael how his parents were doing and how he had been. They had caught up on a lot of stuff and talked for around an hour before a housekeeper interrupted them. She reminded Dennis that it was time for him to check the latest batch of wine. The old man stood up and sighed.

"It was nice to talk to you, Raphael, but I have something to attend to right now. You also must be tired, Angela here will bring you to your room, have a good rest." The maid politely guided him to his room, he received the room which his parents resided when they first came, the room was so much bigger than what he had before, it had a king sized bed instead of a queen sized, and the interiors were far nicer. He was quite impressed by the upgrade. After all, life should never remain stagnant.

Raphael put down his luggage at the room and changed his clothes. He took off his shirt to put on something more comfortable. He arranged all of his tech devices and put all of his important items inside the drawer. Locked it, then laid himself on the bed and took a deep breath.

He wondered where Clara was, but like the first time, meeting her would not happen so fast, but he did not mind, he could wait a bit longer, besides, he was still tired from his flight and long drive.

The bed was so comfortable and added up with the soreness of his muscle, he could just fall asleep right away, and he did. He woke up later and it was almost 5 P.M. Stretching his body, he flipped the blanket and went to the balcony. The view from his room was directly facing the backyard which he first saw Clara a few years ago. He saw the tree where he used to hide before. He always laughed to himself every time he remembered that day, it was so silly.

Something suddenly caught his eyes. From afar he could see a familiar soft honey shade from someone's hair.

It had to be Clara.

Filled with excitement, as fast as lightning, he ran to the yard, his heart was beating loudly, he slowed down his pace a bit when he was nearby, but when the closer he moved, the more he could hear a sobbing sounds.

Clara was crying.

He stopped right where he was and stared at her from afar. She was sitting on the ground, clutching her hand and buried her face on her knees. The sound of her cry sounded like a sharp needle to his ears. He could not contain the pain he felt when he saw her in such state. He had hoped to be greeted by her with a warm smile when he did see her again, but what he got instead was a crestfallen Clara.

Raphael was frozen for a brief second, he was debating if it was the right moment to meet her in such state, yet she was so close, she was an arm reach away from him, how could he have the heart to simply walk away when he was aware of her presence. Taking a deep breath, he walked behind her and reached out his hand to touch her, but he stopped mid way, he had a quick moment of doubt, and had thought of retreating his arm.

Yet Clara has felt someone's presence right behind her, she raised her head and turned her face, realizing that someone was actually there, she quickly stood up and stepped back. Her face was red as rose, and her eyes were glassy, yet Clara had been taught to not show her weakness to strangers, thus she wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

Raphael gazed at her, he admittedly observing her, he found that she had changed a lot since the last time he saw her. Completely different. She had become even more beautiful than before, her emerald eyes and her gaze remained the same, but her face had matured, her eyes were bigger like the shape of an almond, her lips were plumper and rosy in shades, her hair had been cut to just below her shoulder. She was wearing a white dress with see-through sleeve. She looked absolutely angelic.

Why are you crying, Clara? Inside he was desperate to ask her, but it would probably made things worse for both of them. His heart bled watching his beloved in tears, he expected their first meeting in eight years to be a brighter scene, with Clara smiling as she welcomed him, perhaps made him a few crafts like she did eight years ago, but what he had in front of him was a heartbroken Clara instead.

Though he had to admit, no matter how broken she was, she was still eye catching, it was as if someone managed to paint gold seal on her cracks.

"Who are you?" she asked him. She did not recognize him at all. Of course, it had been eight years, why would she remember someone who barely spoke to her, he only stayed for a few days back then, it was a brief encounter. Still, he felt a bit disappointed, but it was fine. The most important thing for him then was to cheer her up.

"I'm sorry, I must have scared you. I am a client of Mr. Bellavance, and I will be staying here for a few days." He lied. He needed to wait a bit more before he could confess his real identity to her and clearly it was not exactly the best time. Clara dried her tears and smiled.

"Ah, I can't believe you saw me in such a state, how embarrassing, then I guess I should excuse myself." she turned away to leave but Raphael grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving. She was taken aback and looked at him. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Raphael let go of her hand. Each said nothing else and she left.

It was like a switch. In that moment, Raphael knew exactly what he had to do.